The classical music blog

 -Grimaldi Harpsichord- -This instrument was made by Carlo Grimaldi, Messina, Sicily in 1697.  The outer lid is covered in gold leaf with a pattern in black paint.  Also, It has this incredible carved and gilt stand. The original instrument has a note range of 4 octaves, from GG-c'''.  In addition, the keyboard naturals are with ebony topped accidentals. Finally, This instrument has a powerful rich sound with beautiful strong bass, so it perpects for basso continuo as well as the italian solo reportory or a room for concert.  Also, In the recent era, harpsichord makers add note ranges to GG-d". References:  https://www.gb.early-keyboard.com/Grimaldi.htm

 -Italian harpsichord, c. 1620 in Russell, Collection of Early Keyboard Instruments, Edinburgh- The city or region where an anonymous instrument was made can be determined by analysing the size of measurement unit.  Until Napoleon invaded to the Italian Peninsula, the major cities in Italy used its own measurement units, and the size of these units was varied from place to place. Thus, the braccio, piede, canna, palmo, etc. And their subdivision into the oncia, soldo or pollice were the characteristic of the major areas where instrument and all other items were built. So if one can determine the unit of measurement which was used in the design and construction of instrument, one can know the origin of the main areas through these units. According to a number of reference works on metrology, the palmo, had a length of 261.01 mm, was divided into 12 units, it's resulted in 21.835mm.  Other length of the canna, was 2096.10mm, was divided into 96 units so that these two resul...

 - Piano Trio No.38 in D major, Hob. Xv:24 (Haydn)- This Concerto was written in 1795. During Haydn's second trip to London, one of a set of three (H. XV:24-26) dedicated to Haydn's friend, the widow Rebecca Schroeter. According to Robert Philip, this work is unusual compared with other later piano trios in that it is serious in tone throughout, "with almost Beethoven-like earnestness".  The style of piano writing, with the rich chords, octaves in the bass and lively elaboration in the right hand, was much influenced by the sonorous while Haydn was in London. Structure The trio has three movements. 1. Allegro 2. Andante 3. Allegro, ma non dolce The first movement is a large scale movement that is full of dramatic pauses, changes of mood and unexpected accents.   Also, The second is a brief and solemn dance, based around an insistent Baroque style dotted rhythm figure. It leads into the finale without a break. The finale is a grave minuet like movement with the triple...

 -Piano Concerto No.2 in G major, Op.44, Tchaikovsky - The Piano Concerto was written in 1879-1880, and dedicated to Nikolai Rubistein.  However, Rubistein never played the work, as he died in March 1881, and the work has never attained much popularity. The premiere performance took place in New York City, on 12 November 1881, and the soloist was Madeline Schiller, and Theodore Thomas conducted the work at the New York Philharmonic orchestra.  The first Russian performance was in Moscow in May 1882. Instruments The work is played in Flutes, oboes, clarinet, horns, trumpets, and solo piano. By 1879, the first Piano Concerto was becoming increasingly popular in the Western. Movements: The movements of The piano concerto is in three. - 1.Allegro /2. Andante non troppo (in D major) /3. Allegro con fuoco / The second movement contains prominent solos for the Violin, and Cello, making the work in effect concerto for piano trio and orchestra,  In late 1800 and early 1900 Er...

 -The String Quartet No.14 in D minor, D 810, Schubert- The String Quartet, known as Death and the Maiden, is a work by Franz Schubert who has been called "one of the pillars of the chamber music reportoire". It was composed in 1824, and after composer suffered from a serious illness and he died. The Quartet was first played in 1826 in a private home, and was not published until 1831, three years after Schubert's death. His composition life In fact, 1823 and 1824 were hard years for Schubert. In addition, in 1823, he was very sick, and he had to be hospitalized by his serious disease in May, but he was without money to go to the Hospital or to publish many works.  Nevertheless, however, despite his bad health and poverty, and depression, Schubert continued to turn out the tuneful and light, and beautiful music in Vienna. Inspiration The Quartet takes its name from the Lied "Der Tod und Das Mätchen", D 531, a setting of the poem of same name by Mattias Cladius, ...

 -Piano Concerto No.5 in D major, K. 175- The Concerto was composed and written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1773 at the age of 17. It's Mozart's first original piano concerto, and his previous efforts were based on works by other composers.  In 1782, he revised the sheets and composed a new Rondo which is adding a Flute to the instrumentation (K. 382). 2.Instrumentation The work is played for 2 oboes, 2 horns, 2 trumpets in D major, and timpani and strings were the only Concerto with trumpets and timpani until No.10, K.365.  3.Movements  The structures of this work has three movements - Allegro / Andante ma un poco adagio (in G major) / Rondo: Allegro This Concerto was a favorite of Mozart's letters.  In addition, The autograph manuscript, which was last reported to be in the possession of F.A. Grassnick in 1862, is now lost. Link: Piano Concerto No.5 in D major, K. 175, Mozart References:  1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_Concerto_No._5_(Mozart) 2....

 -The string quartet No.14 in G major, K. 387- The Concerto was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1782 in Vienna.  In the composer of inscription and autograph was written and edited in 1782-1783. Also, This is the first work in Haydn's six String quartets, and he wrote during few years in Vienna and dedicated to Joseph Haydn. Movements Average performances of the whole string quartet vary in length from 26-33 minutes. As the later Mozart's string quartet works, this quartet has four movements - Allegro vivace Assai / Menuetto / Andante cantabile / Molto Allegro  First, The first movement, in G major, contrasts fairly diatonic passages with chromatic runs.  Second, The minuet is followed by slow movements in subdominant C major. The fugal theme of four whole notes in final points ahead to the finale of Mozart's "Jupiter Symphony of 1788" Link:  The String Quartet No.14 in G major, K 387, Mozart Reference: 1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_Quartet_No._1...